Could Cheikhou Kouyate help Crystal Palace climb the table?
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Roy Hodgson did a remarkable job to keep Crystal Palace up last season. He’ll be determined to build on that in the coming campaign.
Palace are 11/5 to secure a top-half finish, but they’ll need to strengthen their squad to do so. Their only signing so far is goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Now they’re reportedly in talks with West Ham United over a deal for Cheikhou Kouyate. The Hammers could let him go for around £10m.
Kouyate would be a smart signing for Palace. They’ve lost Yohan Cabaye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s returned to Chelsea, which means they’re short of numbers in central midfield.
The West Ham man can break up play and would bring real athleticism to the South London side.
Hodgson could play the Senegal captain alongside Luka Milivojevic to provide a rock-solid foundation in the middle of the park.
They’d give the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend more freedom to cause problems going forward.
If they keep hold of Zaha, a top-ten finish is well within reach. Adding Kouyate would only enhance their chances of getting there for the second time in the club’s history.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
